UCF vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

UCF vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF or UNC Charlotte? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Central Florida than UNC Charlotte ($13,351 vs. $15,045).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 13.9% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,452 vs. $14,458).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $871 more per year; $7,239.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at UNC Charlotte than at University of Central Florida (about $25 more per year; $22,492.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Florida than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (86% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Central Florida students is 21.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($9,704 vs. $7,966).

UCF vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF or UNC Charlotte? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNC Charlotte and UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 40 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming UCF students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

UCF vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF and UNC Charlotte? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Central Florida's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $300 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $4,730 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($18,270 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($188 vs. $237).
• More UNC Charlotte graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.